Kawaii Kon is an anime convention geared towards Japanese animation and comics held in the Honolulu area.
Kawaii Kon was founded by Gamers Evolution Expo, LLC., a company started by Stan Dahlin, Marlon Stodghill and Scott Richardson. Dahlin is a Hawaii native himself, who was at the time based out of Atlanta, Georgia.[1] As for why they decided to bring an anime convention to Hawaii, taken from the website: "Being a transplanted local boy living far away from home for a better part of a decade or more, I'm very proud to be hosting this show in my home state. You ask why? A number of reasons but to simply state it.... I love anime!"[2]
Kawaii Kon was the first anime convention to be held in Hawaii, and remains the only such event in the state.[3] Local support for the convention by fans in the event's first year resulted in a surprising attendance level that surpassed the staff's expectations.
Kawaii Kon currently has AMV and anime screenings; industry, fan, and guest panels; Hall Cosplay contests, Masquerade/Cosplay Competitions, Art Shows,Artist Alley Contests, Concerts, Dances, and Karaoke, along with Video and Role Playing games, autographs, and a Dealer's Room.[4]
History[]
Event history[]
| Dates | Location | Atten. | Guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 22–24, 2005 | Ala Moana Hotel Honolulu, Hawaii | 1,903 | S. Kai Bovaird, Robert DeJesus, Kaveh Kardan, Monica Rial, Stephanie Sheh, and David Williams.[5] |
| April 14–16, 2006 | Ala Moana Hotel Honolulu, Hawaii | 2,610 | S. Kai Bovaird, Emily DeJesus, Robert DeJesus, Yoko Ishida, Jin Kobayashi, Vic Mignogna, Monica Rial, Stan Sakai, Sean Schemmel, Stephanie Sheh, Mike Sinterniklaas, and David Williams.[6][7] |
| April 27–29, 2007 | Hawaii Convention Center Honolulu, Hawaii | 2,925 | Christine Auten, Greg Ayres, Steve Blum, Luci Christian, Emily DeJesus, Robert DeJesus, Brittney Karbowski, Vic Mignogna, Monica Rial, Chris Sabat, Stephanie Sheh, Mike Sinterniklaas, David Williams, and Travis Willingham.[4][8] |
| April 18–20, 2008 | Hawaii Convention Center Honolulu, Hawaii | 3,739 | Colleen Clinkenbeard, Emily DeJesus, Robert DeJesus, The Emeralds, Tiffany Grant, Mari Iijima, Vic Mignogna, Yuko Miyamura, Monica Rial, Rosearik Rikki Simons, David Williams, and Tavisha Wolfgarth-Simons[9][10] |
| April 10-12, 2009 | Hawaii Convention Center Honolulu, Hawaii | 4,479 | Shinji Aramaki, Laura Bailey, Travis Willingham, Caitlin Glass, Illich Guardiola, Brina Palencia, Stan Sakai, David Williams, Vic Mignogna, Tsu Shi Ma Mi Re, The Emeralds[11] |
| April 16-18, 2010 | Hawaii Convention Center Honolulu, Hawaii | 4,877 | Shinji Aramaki, Hideo Ishikawa, Masakazu Morita, Daisuke Kishio, Johnny Yong Bosch, Vic Mignogna, Robert and Emily DeJesus, David Williams, Wendy Powell, Samantha Inoue Harte [12] |
References[]
- ↑ Yadao, Jason S. (2005-04-21). "Anime-niacs". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Retrieved 2007-09-11.
- ↑ "Kawaii Kon FAQ". Kawaii Kon. 2007-04-08. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ↑ Paiva, Derek (April 22, 2005). "Ah, anime! Three-day convention opens today". Honolulu Advertiser.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Kawaii Kon 2007 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2007-12-21.
- ↑ "Kawaii Kon 2005 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2007-12-21.
- ↑ "Kawaii Kon 2006 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2007-12-21.
- ↑ Yadao, Jason S. (2006-04-14). "For The Love of Anime". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Retrieved 2007-09-11.
- ↑ Yadao, Jason S. (2007-04-27). "Serious About Cosplaying". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Retrieved 2007-09-11.
- ↑ "Kawaii Kon 2008 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2007-12-21.
- ↑ Yadao, Jason S. (2008-02-11). "Kawaii Kon finalizes 2008 guest roster (Cel Shaded column)". Honolulu Star-Bulletin 13 (42). Retrieved 2008-06-18.
- ↑ "Kawaii Kon 2009 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2009-02-19.
- ↑ "Kawaii Kon 2010 Guests". Retrieved 2010-02-17.
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